From Our Rector
June 19, 2008      

 
Summer has descended on us in Columbia and the temperatures have been raging hot.  That has not slowed me down however.  The month of June is a busy time for me!  I have so many things on my calendar, especially performing weddings! This weekend I will be traveling to Augusta to perform a wedding there and then the last weekend of June I will be performing a wedding here at St. Timothy’s.     

I appreciate the fact that the work day has been moved up to this weekend so that the grounds and buildings are in tip top shape for the wedding and the concerts.  Speaking of concerts, we had our first one today and had 82 people in attendance!!  I was so pleased to see so many people from the community attend.  I want to thank all the people who helped to make this such a success especially Elaine for organizing it.  The music of Stephen Humphries on the Dulcimer was soothing and beautiful.  I am really looking forward to all of them in the series and anticipate even more people in attendance.  Watch the newspaper because we had a journalist and a photographer here today and there should be an article in the paper soon about the concert and our church.      

We have started our in house Alpha program and it has been well received.  I am excited about being able to offer this program in the fall to the church and the wider community.  I believe this program will make an impact on people’s lives by introducing them to a way to develop and grow their faith.     

We continue to work on putting recipes together for our cookbook.  If you have not already done so, please consider sharing some of your favorite recipes with us so that we may publish them.  We have so many great cooks and it would be nice to duplicate some of the delicious food I have sampled at our many festive occasions.     

This Sunday after each service, Kathleen Palinski will be offering an Advanced Directives program.  It is so important to have these important decisions discussed among family members before emergency situations which require on the spot decisions.  We are thankful for her generosity in holding this program for us at the church.  Please attend if you possibly can.     

As you all know Susan Prinz will be leaving for seminary this fall.  Unfortunately for us, that means her last Sunday with us will be July 27, because of her schedule of CPE at the hospital, and she needs to report to Virginia Seminary on August 9th.  On that Sunday Susan will be preaching at both services.  After the 11:00 am service we will be holding a reception in her honor.  Please join us to bid her a fond farewell and safe journey till we see her again.  During the times Susan is back in Columbia, I will be inviting her to preach as her schedule allows during the next two years.     

Vacation Bible school is quickly approaching and we are in need of supplies.  Please note the list of needs.  All the meals have been covered by different groups within the church and one individual.  We are now looking for monetary donations to buy supplies and donations of needed supplies.  See Stacey Matsui if you would like to volunteer in any way.     

Audrey Kohn has graciously volunteered to serve as Treasurer.  She has prior experience and we are grateful to her and Vicki for taking on the financial work of the church.  They will be working together to be sure all of our financials are on target.  Thanks to both of them for generously giving of themselves.     

The Brotherhood of St. Andrew’s has gotten off to a wonderful start.  We have 14 charter members who will be spearheading this new men’s ministry.  Thanks to Bob Chestnut for renewing our ministry in this Godly organization.     

We are going to have various offerings in the fall for Sunday school options so please look for announcements about those.  One of the classes will be ―Discovering our Spiritual Gifts‖ and discerning where God may be calling us.  Another will be an inquirer’s class for those would like to be confirmed or received into the church.  If you or anyone you know would like to become a member of the Episcopal Church please see me regarding you being received into the Episcopal Church.  If you have any particular interests or suggestions for a class, please see me.     

I have started a box in my office collecting items for our bazaar in the fall.  I want to thank all those who have already started contributing handmade items to this collection.  Tabitha and Guillermo Emanueli have already made 5 Anglican prayer beads!  Someone else has already complete 2 scarves and a child’s sweater.  I have made 2 ladies winter scarves and will be starting a shawl.  I hear talk that John Dent is working on a quilt and also may hold a class on canning so that we can all learn to make wonderful food items.   And Miss Olivia is already starting to collect the items needed to make her delicious pound cakes!  Hmmm…have you started your handcraft items that you will donate?     

Our Dinner and a movie night featuring Narnia was another great success.  A good time was had by all!  We will not have an evening in July, but will be restarting our monthly activity nights in August or September.     

Remember, I will be on vacation, the week of July 4th and Fr. Whyte will be here to celebrate at the healing service on Wednesday and again on Sunday.  I have also asked Bill Sandberg to be our guest preacher on July 20 even though I will be here and celebrating the Eucharist.   I believe it is important to hear different voices sometimes preaching the word of God because it gives us different perspectives.  Bill has led various Tuesday noon services and has given thought provoking homilies.  I look forward to hearing him on the 20th.     

Our back to school drive this year will benefit Logan Elementary School.  We will be collecting book-bags, socks, underwear and children’s belts.  These are items the children need.  Another church will be collecting other school supplies.  We will be collecting throughout July and August so look in the narthex and parish hall for the little paper dolls which will have items and sizes on them.  Take a paper doll and return it with your purchased items.  Basic book-bags are needed so that the children can carry their school supplies and books home.  Cookie Grant will be heading up this drive so see Cookie or myself if you have any questions.     

Lastly please keep all those who are attending the Lambeth conference in your prayers.  

Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.